Winston Churchill was known for his great love for and admiration of animals. In fact, one of Churchill’s key characteristics was his fascination with the animal kingdom – creatures of all sorts were a crucial element in his life, from his pet budgerigar to his own lion. In this seminar, Dr Piers Brendon, Fellow of Churchill College, former Keeper of the Churchill Archives and one of Prof Hyam’s first pupils, looks deeper into Churchill’s love of the animal kingdom. We encounter the paradox of the animal-loving-hunter – he hunts foxes yet keeps them as pets, he likes fishing but loves fish – along with the man who used analogies to animals time and time again in his speeches and writings. The picture that emerges shows another side to the great man, showcasing his wit, wisdom and wayward genius from a different perspective.